MINISTER of environment and tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Monday visited the Oshidute borehole site in the Ohangwena region’s Epembe constituency to assess the progress on the rehabilitation and extension of the borehole.
The rehabilitation and extension commenced in the past few weeks with the aim to supply potable water to several communities in and around Oshidute village, who in July this year were reported in the media as facing serious water shortages.
Shifeta expressed satisfaction over the progress, especially after the Ohangwena regional councillor responsible for the Epembe constituency, Phillipus Shikongo, told him that over the past week several local communities, such as the Oshidute and Omwii/Ohakafiya people, are already receiving water from the borehole, even while the laying of more pipes is ongoing.
The minister encouraged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the borehole, take good care of its infrastructure and ensure that no vandalism takes place.
The Oshidute borehole extension will cover the communities of Oshidute and Ohakafiya, through Omwii, and Oshikunde.
It is expected to supply water through a pipeline of over 23 kilometres, stretching from Oshidute in the Epembe constituency to the neighouring Oshikunde constituency. “We are happy that we are also now provided with clean water, which we did not taste since the country’s independence,” said one of the villagers, Onesmus Augustus, who claimed the local communities only had recourse to the dirty water from the traditional wells in the area.
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) has invested N$2.5 million towards the rehabilitation of the Oshidute borehole, which is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
The EIF funds similar borehole projects in the Omusati region– 16 in Tsandi and 24 in the Onesi and Ruacana areas – in response to president Hage Geingob’s call for Namibians, whether individuals or corporate, to assist those in dire need, or those heavily affected by the prevailing drought situation in the country.
– Nampa
